A moment's lapse in concentration while watching Dara O'Briain can result in you losing the thread of this Irish comic's fast-talking delivery.

However, those who kept up with his relentless pace at his Ashcroft Theatre shows last week were treated to an evening of hilarious topical and observational stand-up, racing through subjects such as the iPod, the July 7 bombings and the perils of chip and pin cards to name a few.

The host of BBC Two's topical panel game show Mock the Week brought his national tour to Croydon last Thursday and Friday.

It comes as no surprise to learn of O'Briain's student days as a champion debater while studying maths and physics at University College in Dublin it's impossible not to warm to his intelligent, affable quick-wit.

His speciality of interspersing his set with audience interaction is done so masterfully he makes each show unique without making his chosen victims' feel patronised or intimidated.

A select few sitting in the first two rows featured so prominently throughout Thursday's show they got their own round of applause at the end.

O'Briain's last visit to Croydon was a stint compering at the Up The Creek comedy club a few years back. Judging by the reaction he got at Fairfield last week, he'd be welcomed back a lot sooner.